Can you start by introducing yourself and sharing an overview of your artistic practice?
Hi I’m Grant Aston, I am a sculptor, clay and wood are my primary materials. I am drawn to structures both man made and organic, bone structure, cell division and industrial architecture. I integrate some of these shapes into my sculptures, reconfigured to form new constructions that present many new possibilities, new identities.
What led you to explore ceramics? Was there a specific moment of inspiration that sparked your interest in working with clay?
I’m from Stoke on Trent so clay so we have a high number of advocates for the material. After leaving school I attended the amazing (really amazing) Newcastle under Lyme school of art and design, studying a broad ranging B-TEC in general art and design. What a treat that was, I had discovered magic. It was bursting with inspirational teachers but one in particular, Judith Mitchell, took me under her wing generally and helped me to trust my artistic instincts. I didn’t really understand what contemporary ceramics was, it’s not as familiar as drawing, painting or photography, but she suggested that it was a worthwhile field to specialise in for my second year and very quickly I was deep into clay with its constantly changing states.
Did you receive formal training in ceramics?
After finishing my B-Tec I studied ceramics in Cardiff at what was then U.W.I.C. another great experience, then ceramics and Glass at the R.C.A. in 2003.
Where do you typically find inspiration for your art? Are there specific locations or experiences that have directly inspired your work for Edgelands?
Recently I have come to realize that what I am really fascinated with is time and its effects upon the world we have created and the world that we are evolving from. Edgelands, the ruined factories and forgotten ‘non places’ have split in time. They are left behind spaces sandwiched between shopping centres and railway lines. For me, living in London, they are often a fast and convenient way to cycle through. The Wandle and Ravensbourne Rivers and the Grand union canal are some of the fastest ways to get around the city, the Thames path is a high speed traffic free route out of the city. Old Brompton Cemetery is such a route. Cemeteries, the grand ones often feel lost in time. Brompton seems to exist in a bubble of time, its cloisters and catacombs visible against the brightly colored background of Stamford Bridge football ground like two times existing together.
Can you walk us through your creative process, from concept to completion?
I try not to overthink my work before I start it, imagining what a piece may look like limits the ability to respond intuitively when touching a material which is what my work is driven by. I have a theme or goal to begin with then let the form develop. I set up a kit of shapes to begin with, extruded clay, cut ply and elements or furniture for example. I’ve been making the assemblage pieces from wood and clay for 10 years now, I have spent 20 years working in gilding, specialist decorating and mirror production so using many of these skills in my sculpture feels a true representation of my experience with skills and materials, most importantly though it is fun and as mentioned previously, it is magic.
Where do you create your work? Could you share a bit about your studio or workspace?
I work in a shared studio at Vanguard Court in Camberwell, and am lucky enough to be surrounded by a supportive community of friends and colleagues.
How would you describe the pieces you’ll be exhibiting at County Hall Pottery Gallery? What do you hope viewers take away from them? Can you talk about the specific materials and techniques you are using for this exhibition?
The new piece that I have made for this show is titled ‘Drift’. Again I am thinking about time, time’s arrow, but also about the directionless drift in the goals or lack of them we have collectively as species. We are all aware of the many issues that we face as a species from war to climate change, it is only by uniting and working collectively that we can overcome these challenges, but out world seems to be ever more divided. Looking from the outside we are a species drifting. This is not meant as a critical judgment but as an observation about general humanity.
What are you currently working on? Are there any upcoming projects or exhibitions we should look forward to?
I have had a bit of time out from making to help raise my young family, this show is my come back. I am continuing to develop the smaller scale work shown in Edgelands and will be enjoying my studio time and exploring opportunities.
View the price list for the artwork Grant is displaying and available to purchase in our Edgelands exhibition here, and follow Grant on Instagram here!
To take part in a County Hall Pottery exhibition or to speak to the team, please email gallery@countyhallpottery.com